''Mandos'' ({{IPA|[ˈmandos]}}) is a [[Quenya]] name meaning "Prison-fortress".{{fact}} It derived from the [[Primitive Quendian|early Elvish]] ''Mandostŏ''.<ref>{{VT|39a}}, p. 6</ref> The [[Sindarin]] name for ''Mandos'' is ''[[Bannoth]]'' ({{IPA|[ˈbanːoθ]}}).{{fact}}

''Mandos'' ({{IPA|[ˈmandos]}}) is a [[Quenya]] name meaning "Prison-fortress".{{fact}} It derived from the [[Primitive Quendian|early Elvish]] ''Mandostŏ''.<ref>{{VT|39a}}, p. 6</ref> The [[Sindarin]] name for ''Mandos'' is ''[[Bannoth]]'' ({{IPA|[ˈbanːoθ]}}).{{fact}}

Revision as of 01:19, 29 September 2013

"...It is a long tale..." — Aragorn
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Mandos was the Doomsman of the Valar and keeper of the slain in his Halls in the west of Valinor. Vairë the Weaver is his wife. His actual — less common — name was Námo, "Mandos" being the name of his dwelling place.

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History

Mandos was the brother of the ValaIrmo (also called Lórien). Together, Mandos and Irmo are called the Fëanturi (Q: "Masters of Spirits"). Their sister is Nienna.

Mandos is said to be the grimmest of the Valar. However, this in no way implies that Mandos is dark or evil. His grimness is wholly part of his nature, coming (one must assume) from that part of the mind of Ilúvatar from which he was created. Neither is Mandos willful or malevolent in declaring the fates of Arda. Only at the bidding of Manwë will Mandos ever pronounce his dooms. Mandos and Manwë have always been allied since their entering into Eä, and together they understand most clearly the Vision of Ilúvatar more than any of the other Valar. Mandos knew nearly all of what was to come within the realm of Arda, though not all. Only Ilúvatar knew with full certainty what the full doom of Arda will be, and he will not reveal it all, even to Mandos or Manwë.

The Halls of Mandos were ever expanding as the history of Arda progressed and the spirits of the slain Eldar were recalled there. The walls were covered with the webs of Vairë, who wove all events of history into her tapestries.